Israel Reopens Aid Crossing into Gaza as US Urges Restraint
Israel has reopened an aid crossing into Gaza as the United States calls for more restraint in its offensive against Hamas. The move comes after weeks of pressure from aid agencies and Western allies to reopen the Kerem Shalom border crossing, as Egypt’s Rafah crossing struggled to cope with the scale of need inside Gaza.
Temporary Measure to Deliver Aid
The Israeli government approved a “temporary measure” allowing aid to be delivered directly to Gaza through the Kerem Shalom border crossing. This decision comes as Israel faces mounting pressure to do more to spare civilians in its all-out offensive against Hamas. According to UN figures, 1.9 million out of Gaza’s 2.4 million population have been displaced.
The Devastating War
The war between Israel and Hamas began after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7. Israeli officials claim that around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the conflict. In response, Israel launched a massive offensive to destroy Hamas and bring home an estimated 250 hostages abducted by militants to Gaza. The ongoing fighting has left much of the besieged territory in ruins. The Hamas government reports that at least 18,800 people, mostly women and children, have been killed.
International Support for Aid Delivery
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who recently visited Israel and the West Bank, called Israel’s decision to reopen the aid crossing a “significant step.” President Joe Biden had raised this issue in recent phone calls with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The United States hopes that this new opening will ease congestion and facilitate the delivery of life-saving assistance. The World Health Organization also welcomed the announcement as “very good news.” Aid distribution had largely stopped in most of Gaza, except for limited operations in the Rafah area.
Journalists Killed in Israeli Attacks
The conflict has taken a toll on journalists and media staff. Al Jazeera reported that one of its journalists had been killed, and another wounded by shrapnel from an Israeli missile attack in Khan Yunis. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, more than 60 journalists and media staff have died since the war began. The increasing concern over civilian casualties and the long-term plan for Gaza has prompted the US to voice its concerns. While the US strongly supports Israel’s response to Hamas’s attacks, it does not believe that reoccupying Gaza over the long term is the right solution.
Calls for Greater Care for Civilians
President Biden reiterated calls for greater care for Gazan civilians, emphasizing the need to save civilian lives while continuing to target Hamas. US National Security Adviser Sullivan also traveled to the West Bank to meet Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas. Abbas stated that Gaza must remain an integral part of the Palestinian state. The Palestinian Authority, which has partial administrative control in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, hopes to resume control of Gaza as part of a renewed push for a two-state solution.
Demand for Action Against Israeli Settlers
Multiple Western governments issued a joint statement demanding that Israel take concrete steps to halt unprecedented violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank. Extremist settlers have killed eight Palestinians and wounded 83 since early October. In response, Israel’s police force has suspended several officers who severely assaulted a journalist for a Turkish news agency as he was trying to take photos of Palestinians praying in annexed east Jerusalem.
Searching for Survivors
In Rafah, near the Egyptian border, Palestinians used flashlights to search the rubble of buildings for survivors following Israeli strikes. Residents expressed their frustration and anguish over the targeting of residential neighborhoods that have nothing to do with militant activities.
In conclusion, Israel’s decision to reopen the aid crossing into Gaza is seen as a significant step towards easing the humanitarian crisis in the region. The United States and other Western governments continue to call for greater restraint and care for civilians in the ongoing conflict. The hope is that a renewed push for a two-state solution can bring lasting peace to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.